Sponsor boost sees full field for Nairn 10k

AN ambitious initiative with a new sponsor has led to Sunday's Nairn 10k selling out days in advance of the race, which also includes the North District Championship.

Estate agents Remax have teamed up with Nairn Roadrunners to convert this traditional summer road racing season starter into one of the area's busiest 10ks, with a capacity field of 450 entrants.

The sponsorship has also helped provide a hugely increased prize fund for the capacity field of 450 entrants across both the men's and women's races.

Inverness Harrier John Newsom, who ran for Scotland in the Commonwealth Half Marathon championships last October, should be among the main contenders.

He is the front runner for the North District title since Aberdeen's former Scottish 1500m champion Myles Edwards is ineligible.

Donnie MacDonald, whom Newsom just edged for the North Cross Country League title, should also be well up the field and other contenders to count could be Andrew Johnston, Jonny MacLeod and Stuart Gardiner.

Scotland international Jenny Bannerman defends her women's title. Last year, she covered the 6.2 mile course in a brisk 35:28 to begin a successful summer which saw her defend her Baxter's River Ness title.

Her Inverness clubmate Gemma Cormack has withdrawn but another significant rival could be Aberdeen Metro's Claire Bruce. Amy Hudson and Caroline Marwick should also be prominent Inverness challengers.

In a rare move, welcomed by club athletes, the organisers have set aside places for Scottish Athletics registered runners who are eligible for the championship.

Race director Stephen Fraser is happy with both the numbers and the standard.

"Entries are up on last year and there's a good number of sub-40 and sub-50 minute runners," he said.

"Any Scottish Athletics registered runner that still wishes to enter this race to compete in the North District championships and has missed the cut off should contact me."